NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2367, 3 November 1881, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

|_By TsiEaBAPH.] [I'BOM IHB OWN COBBESPONDBNT OF THB " PBBBS.] WELLINGTON, November 2. There is an almost total absence of news from the front to-day. Mr Bryce briefly telegraphs that active preparations continue. It appears that there ia some intention on the part of the New Plymouth people to come down to Pungarehu on Saturday in order to witness the march on Parihaka. It is felt that this idea of treating a very solemn and important proceeding as a mere speotaole—the central attraction in a day's sight-seeing—is very incongruous, and that the thing is altogether objectionable. Mr Bryce has therefore given notice that all traffic will be stopped on the road south of Stony River on Friday and Saturday next. The Hinemoa left this afternoon with the Wellington volunteers. The companies assembled this afternoon at the barracks, and marched down Taranaki, Manners and Willis streets, then along Waterloo quay to the Railway wharf, where they at once proceeded to embark on the Hinemoa. The Guards' band headed the corps and played, "Lot me like a soldier fall." Several hundreds of people accompanied them to the steamer, and as she loft the wharf shortly after two o'clook a round of hearty cheers rang out from the spectators, and were responded to by those on board. The total number of men all told is 231. Dr. Driver accompanies the volunteers as staff surgeon. Captain Young, who is commanding the Guards, is a candidate for the Mayoralty election, and Captain O. Johnston, who goes to command the Naval Brigade, is a candidate for Te Aro in the Parliamentary election.

A rumor has got about during the last day or two, and has been very generally circulated to-day, that a portion of Parihaka is mined and charged with dynamite or powder, and that the Divino interpretation promised by Te Whiti on November sth will consist in blowing up the European forces, as Guy Fawkes promised to do for the Eouee of Commons on that day two or three centuries ago. I have mado careful enquiries regarding the truth of this alarming rumor (which is expressed to day in a private letter from the front), but so far as I can learn there is not the slightest foundation for the idea. It is almost impossible that the necessary preparations could have been made for Buch an atrooious scheme without coming to the knowledge of the Government through various means which they have of procuring reliable information as to what goes on at Parihaka. I have every reason, therefore, to believe the report to be utterly groundless, ! and I may mention it now in order to be able to dispel natural apprehonsions for the safety of our men, which would be created if the rumor found publication without this explanation. It is still fully believed by experts that Te Whiti, Tohu, and Company will simply station themselves in Parihaka and refuse to budge. It may then be a matter of some trouble to "move on" a couple of thousand people, inoluding women and children. Mr Bryce is said, howover, to have his plans thoroughly matured. The total force at the front may now be summed up roughly in round numbers as follows: —Constabulary, nearly 900; Volunteers from other places, i nearly 1000 j looal Volunteers, 500 or 600;

in all something like 2500 men. The Government have been obliged to refuse all offer* from every part of the colony since last Saturday morning, as Mr Bryce telegraphed very positively not to sond any more at present, as he did not want them, and an excessive number would embarrass rather than 1 assist him. The Government were very sorry to disappoint the numerous oorps who have so readily offered their Bervicee, but it could not be helped. Their services may yet be required, although it is of oourse hoped that Buoh will not be the case. Every effort_ is being used to improve the camp oommissariat provisions at the front. The fact is that the Government have more men than they bargained for, and this has caused some unavoidable temporary inconvenience. Mr Bolleston left this afternoon by the Hinemon for Opunalce. It is probable that Mr Bryce and Major Atkinson and Mr Bolleston will all be present at the Parihaka demonstration on Saturday. Extra telegraph wires and operators have been sent up to facilitate telegraph communication, which as yet is somewhat slow, partly owing., to the bulky charaoter of the telegrams sent. Nothing further has transpired as to the attitude of the Governor, but I think I am warranted in saying that no aotive interference on his part is anticipated, but it is thought he may, perhaps, take an unduly favorable view at Te Whiti and Tohu's last utterance, the official report of which I sent you last night. However, it is not at all expected that he will exercise any undue or unconstitutional pressure on Ministers. NELSON, November 2. Mr O. Bichmond addressos a long and interesting letter to the " Evening Mail " on tho Native difficulty, tracing its history from the early days. He concludes as follows : " The New Zealand Government, through all their diversities and amid all thoir mistakes, have ever been unanimous in holding out a friendly hand to the Maori race. Forced in self-defence into a struggle, the colony has shown at all times great good temper and solf-control. Its sins have been occasional credulity and weakness, never harshness. Wo are as clear of " blood guiltiness" as Mr Gladstone himself, and England's youngest offshoot may claim, in ber dealings with the Maori, to have led the honorable way which England herself had never trod until, under Mr Gladstone, she withdrew from Afghanistan and retroceded the Transvaal to its inhabitants. No barbarous race has ever met with usage from its more civilised neighbor comparable for liberality and fairness with the treatment of the Maori by the colonists of New Zealand."

LPEB PBBBB ASSOCIATION.] OPUNAKE, November 2

Major Noake has arrived and assumed command here. 445 volunteers landed here yesterday from the Thames, Auckland, Wanganui, and the South Island. Captain Watts* company, from Wanganui, remain in garrison here, and the remainder have marched for Pungarehu. Hone Pihama's daughter has gone to Parihaka. He is much incensed, and tried unsuccessfully to intercept her on discovering her departure.